iPad Chartplotter

[whisper]

Hi, I know this has been done before but are there any developments in using an iPad as a chartplotter?

Has anybody done it yet? If so any problems? is the software worth the money?

I would be very interested to see what type of cases / mounts are out there now

[Starovich]

I am seriously looking at Nuud. with a RamMount mount system so i can swap and change it, there is 4mm overlap in the sizes and i am currently researching options.
I use my iphone in a bag with navionics at the moment, (with a garmin handheld backup , and 2 compasses).

[karlT]

Have got Navionics on my Ipad 2. Very good, useful photo's of harbours etc, tidal info, fast charting.

Built in GPS on ipad 2 with wifi / 3G position info in built up areas.

The latest upgrade at £2.49 is worth the money makes it far more 'chartplotter' and useful as it gives bearings distances eta's etc.

Overall for £45 it is a great bit of kit to have onboard. I bought the ipad for internet access when onboard away from wifi and just use pay as you go sim.

The only criticism would be the battery drain when GPS is running. Even with the ipad plugged into 12volt charger the battery is going down so you can get about 8 hours use.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by karlT

Have got Navionics on my Ipad 2. Very good, useful photo's of harbours etc, tidal info, fast charting.

Built in GPS on ipad 2 with wifi / 3G position info in built up areas.

The latest upgrade at £2.49 is worth the money makes it far more 'chartplotter' and useful as it gives bearings distances eta's etc.

Overall for £45 it is a great bit of kit to have onboard. I bought the ipad for internet access when onboard away from wifi and just use pay as you go sim.

The only criticism would be the battery drain when GPS is running. Even with the ipad plugged into 12volt charger the battery is going down so you can get about 8 hours use.

Thanks for the post, my iPad is a iPad2 wi-fi 16gb but it doesn't have 3g but I guess it will still work with the Navionics app as it's picking up my location at home ok?

Also how do you mount the iPad? and is it in a waterproof over?

Thanks Alex

[whisper]

After watching this several times I finally realised that they sell cases which are life proof

I am LifeProof - YouTube

And after some digging around on there website it looks like you can make an iphone 4 into a chartplotter:

Waterproof iPod Touch Case | LifeProof

And this mount should go down well will a gopro mount

iPhone 4 mount, Helmet Mount, GoPro Mount, Protective Case | LifeProof

But although they do a cover for the ipad there is no sign of a mount

Cases for Apple iPad 2 | LifeProof

Unless it will fit in here:

http://www.over-board.co.uk/blog/lat...se-boat-mount/

[Salty]

Originally Posted by whisper

Thanks for the post, my iPad is a iPad2 wi-fi 16gb but it doesn't have 3g but I guess it will still work with the Navionics app as it's picking up my location at home ok?

Also how do you mount the iPad? and is it in a waterproof over?

Thanks Alex

I have an ipad 1 wifi only and was considering jailbreaking it so I can use it with my Global Sat BT 338 GPS

I read somewhere that using a separate bluetooth GPS receiver was faster / more accurate than using a 3G ipad?

[Channel Ribs]

The iPad is superb for planning, but by the time you have forked out for properly waterproof cases and quality mounts I suspect you are into three figures so I would opt for a marine char plotter and keep the iPad out of harms way.

[Leapy]

Check whether you think the iPhone/iPad are readable enough in sunlight. My iPhone certainly isn't that good and I think someone (Cookee?) said the iPad wasn't either.

[TomKat]

I was about to buy a chart plotter but would only occasionally use it for areas I am not familiar with so bought a used IPad 1 3g for £200 stuck the navionics on it, bought an Overboard case for £20 and can confirm it works really well. Some thing to strap it to would be good and not great in bright sun but how often do we get that! Surprised how much I use it as a browser round the house so all in all a good move for me.
If you were going to use a chart plotter a lot then its not for you but for occasional use I think its brilliant. Great for planning routes in the house on the sofa!

How useful a WIFI only one would be I don't know. Maybe it could bluetooth to an external device?

[whisper]

Originally Posted by TomKat

How useful a WIFI only one would be I don't know. Maybe it could bluetooth to an external device?

Thanks for the info, I hope to link it to my iphone 3gs if poss???

[longjohn]

I've got the Marine Imray Charts app which you can update with any of their charts, with an in app purchase. Although I seem to have the whole of the English Channel but can't find a receipt or remember specifically buying the charts, so maybe I got a free offer at sometime .

Works well on both iPhone & iPad - but I don't regard either as being rib friendly - far too delicate especially the iPad with its large easily damaged screen - even if protected by some sort of waterproof case. Also neither screen is a patch on my Garmin chartplotter for visibility in bright sun. And any app that uses the screen & location services all the time, eats the battery life.

Yes you can 'tether' the the 3G/GSM signal from your iPhone if you have tethering activated on your mobile contract - works well but a further drain on battery. And of course its only economic if you use smallish amounts of data and certainly not for roaming 'overseas'.

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by whisper

Thanks for the info, I hope to link it to my iphone 3gs if poss???

You'll need to jailbreak it in order to do that. PM me if you need any help

[martini]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

You'll need to jailbreak it in order to do that. PM me if you need any help

And you still won't gps. I had my 3GS jail broken, never worked properly again.

Sent from my portable speaking device using Rib.net

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by martini

And you still won't gps. I had my 3GS jail broken, never worked properly again.

Sent from my portable speaking device using Rib.net

Yes obviously you still won't get GPS but I thought someone suggested you could use an external bluetooth GPS?

We have jailbroken all the iPhones that GD has had and then passed down to me over the last few years and my android is now rooted too. All with good results.

He finds that with the latest software there is much less reason to, however in the early days with the 3G and 3GS he found it essential even to achieve the same functionality as the N95 he had before it

[longjohn]

You don't need to jailbreak to tether - its a standard feature of the later versions of IOS - and both the iPhone & iPad have GPS (locations services) on the iPhone its supplemented by GSM triangulations which helps in getting a near instant fix on location.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by longjohn

You don't need to jailbreak to tether - its a standard feature of the later versions of IOS - and both the iPhone & iPad have GPS (locations services) on the iPhone its supplemented by GSM triangulations which helps in getting a near instant fix on location.

I have no idea on how to tether it but i'll have a go

The iPad knows where it is on the apps so it looks like the location thing is working ok.

[Bucksribster]

I have used Navionics on my iPhone 4 and think it is brilliant. Not sure if it is the same on an iPad, but on the iPhone you can download an area of charts to the memory so you do not need a 3G connection on the water. I have used this in Greece and Turkey, as well as the Solent, and it works really well.

[whisper]

Thanks

I have just tried to tether but I have to contact my provider tomorrow, there is nothing wrong, just that I need to get them to set it up which sounds like it might cost me

[longjohn]

no shouldn't cost u - I've got it on a £10.50 per month contract. When I set it up I did have to change contracts to be on one of the newer contracts that supported it -but didn't cost any extra and I kept my original contract time-frame

[longjohn]

Threaten to leave and change suppliers if they tell you any different.
I think its only the main line suppliers that offer tethering - sub suppliers like Tesco etc don't
I'm on O2